7:10 PM - As my friend Nathan and I are carrying drywall to the basement, Chalase says "My water just broke!" And so starts the chain of events. Quite unexpectantly considering Chalase's due date isn't until 5/11. As we rush to get everything together it is clear that Chalase's labor is progressing quickly.

9:00 PM - Chalase starts having some pretty wicked contractions. Although the birthing classes indicated that when the water breaks most women deliver within 24 hours, it's obvious we're not going to have that much time.

10:15 PM - Chalase begins having back labor. This could best be described as unbelievably painful. It's obvious we need to get to the hospital right away. This pain Chalase is in needs to be alleviated.

10:32 PM - Leaving for the hospital now. I thought driving in rush hour was stressful. That doesn't hold a candle next to driving with a woman in labor! On one hand I'm trying to be ultra-careful with my precious cargo; then I have Chalase next to me threatening violence if I don't step on it!

11:15 PM - We arrive at the hospital and I stuff Chalase in a wheelchair to hustle her up to labor assessment. To no one's amazement she's in labor, duh. We moved to a labor room with Chalase writhing in pain from the back labor. Katherine arrives on scene and verifies Chalase is having back labor since the baby hasn't quite turned properly. She also checks Chalase and determines she's only at 3 cm. Oh boy, this is going to be a long night. The epidural is ordered.

11:55 PM - The anesthesiologist arrives and inserts an epidural. With high hopes, we wait to see if it takes affect. Chalase is still writhing in pain.

12:30 AM - The first epidural is a no go. It's just not providing any relief. The anesthesiologist removes the first epidural and inserts a second. Once again, we wait with baited breath hoping some of the severe pain will subside.

12:45 AM - That's more like it! The baby has turned appropriately and there is no longer any back labor. In addition, the epidural is relieving much of the pain.

1:00 AM - Katherine checks Chalase and realizes she has progressed to 8 cm already. WOW! Maybe this is going to be a short night! That was super fast dilation. (Chalase is obviously an overachiever) With that, the doctor recommends that Chalase try and get some sleep.

2:45 AM - Katherine comes in the room and asks Chalase "Are you ready to have a baby"? Everything moves very quickly after that. Chalase responds like a pro. With a little coaching on how to push, we settle in for the homestretch. It finally hits me that this is real. I'm going to be a papa shortly and I can't wait.

3:30 AM - After 45 minutes of pushing I see Ellen for the first time as her head emerges. It's amazing how the world just stops for a minute or two, yet at the same time how everything happens so fast. It really is unexplainable. All of a sudden her head appears, pointy, gray, nose smooshed and it doesn't matter. She takes my breath away. She's beautiful.

3:32 AM - It's official. Ellen is born. They quickly clear her nose and her mouth as enters this world with a few short bursts of crying. They hand her quickly to Chalase while they prep the umbilical cord for me to cut. Chalase is clearly taken in the moment; the smile on her face is beaming as she holds Ellen in her arms. After taking a moment to wipe her off a bit they hand her to me. This is the most emotionally powerful moment in my entire life. As she lies quietly in my arms I welcome her into this world. She reacts to my voice by opening her eyes and looking right into mine. It's then that I realize how blessed I truly am. I tear runs down my cheek as I tell Ellen and Chalase how much I love them both.

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